Stories for 2016

Friday, August 5th 2016 - 12:04 UTC
Brazil´s unemployment reaches 11.3%; only two years ago it stood at 6.5%

Brazil's unemployment rate rose to 11.3% in the second quarter, statistics agency IBGE said, hitting a four-year high as Latin America's largest economy struggles with a crippling recession. In a sign that Brazil's labor market faces even tougher times, economists surveyed expect the unemployment rate will not start falling until 2018.
Thursday, August 4th 2016 - 23:57 UTC
Rousseff political downfall ever so close as Senate committee recommends her removal from office

Brazilian Senate committee voted on Thursday to recommend the full upper house remove suspended president Dilma Rousseff from office in an impeachment trial, sending the nation's political drama into its end game. The decision -- passed by a vote of 14 to five -- is non-binding, but delivers Rousseff yet another setback on the eve of the Olympics opening ceremony in Rio de Janeiro.
Thursday, August 4th 2016 - 23:08 UTC
“Double-lock” commitment for Gibraltar ensures UK minister for Europe

Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo has met with the new Minister for Europe, Sir Alan Duncan, in London, where he set out the concerns that Brexit has created in the Rock. Mr. Picardo also outlined the opportunities that could now be exploited as a result of a new relationship with the EU.
Thursday, August 4th 2016 - 22:59 UTC
FAO Price Index reports modest decline in July as grains and vegetable oils drop

The international prices for major food commodities saw a modest decline in July, following five consecutive months of increases. The FAO Food Pice Index (FPI) averaged 161.9 points in July 2016, slipping 0.8 percent (1.3 points) below its level in June and 1.4 percent below its level of July 2015.
Thursday, August 4th 2016 - 22:09 UTC
RMS St Helena schedule extended another year until airport is ready for commercial flights

RMS St. Helena, one of the last Royal Mail Ships in the world is to continue serving her remote South Atlantic island namesake until 1 July 2017, the St Helena Government has announced. The RMS passenger and freight service will continue to operate between Cape Town, St Helena and Ascension Island with the extended schedule confirmed by the island's director of tourism.
Thursday, August 4th 2016 - 22:02 UTC
Petrobras corruption case nets another company, senior executives and politicians

Brazil’s federal police said they had arrested two people and raided properties over alleged corruption at building firm Queiroz Galvão, as fresh allegations linked the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB) to an alleged US$3-million bribe. The sprawling “Operation Carwash” investigation was launched two years ago to tackle price fixing, bribery and political kickbacks at state-run oil firm Petrobras.
Thursday, August 4th 2016 - 21:52 UTC
Venezuela defies Mercosur members and announces it will “fully exercise the presidency”

Venezuela has defiantly confirmed that is will fully exercise the “self-proclaimed” presidency of Mercosur, despite the opposition from Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, who consider the chair vacant and are meeting in Montevideo to find an alternative for the six month mandate.
Wednesday, August 3rd 2016 - 07:24 UTC
Brazilian caipirinha: Rousseff impeachment and Olympics take off this week

Brazil's long-running presidential impeachment drama starts to unveil this week just as the Rio Olympics sprints out of the starting blocks. Suspended Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, who is accused of breaking budgetary laws, is staying away from the opening ceremony in Rio.
Wednesday, August 3rd 2016 - 07:12 UTC
US 'Dream team' rented cruise liner “Silver Cloud” as their Olympic Village

Multi-millionaire members of the US Olympic basketball team have rented a massive luxury cruise ship to call their home while they compete at the Rio Olympics. Super rich members of the 'Dream Team' are shirking the nightmare of the Olympic Village, still undergoing finishing touches in some areas and likely to remain “under construction” throughout the games in others. Members of the women's team are also reported to be calling the cruise ship home.
Wednesday, August 3rd 2016 - 06:58 UTC
Rio Games opening tailored to the current economic conditions in Brazil

Rio de Janeiro Olympics opening ceremony on Friday will break with the recent tradition of large-scale and expensive shows, featuring a low-emissions cauldron and an “analogue” experience, executive producer Marco Balich said.